US2276268A - Seal cutter for bottles - Google Patents

Description

March 17, 1942. w. J. DONLON 2,276,268

SEAL CUTTER FOR BOTTLES Filed July 12, 1941 Fatented Mar. 17, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ssu. 011M 3 i2 2. no'rnss Walter J. Donlon, Oriskany, N. Y.

Application July 12, 1941, Serial No. 402,209 2 Claims. (01. 30-2) My invention relates to a seal cutter for bottles and I declare the following to be a full, clear, concise and exact description thereof sufllcient to enable anyone skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. reference being had to the accompanying drawing in which The edges of the V-shaped knife 5 are ground or honed to a knife edge, whereby to cut the cellulose seal I applied to the neck II of the like reference characters refer to like parts there- The object of the invention is to provide a device'that will cut the seal around the neck of a liquor bottle without inJurying the cork stopper. The cork stopper of a liquor bottle is sealed usual- 1y by cellulose wrapper under which is placed the U. S. Internal Revenue stamp. The cellulose is tough and not easily cut by the ordinary knife or by the use of a sharp instrument which is often used by the bar tender when in a hurry. At such times he is apt to spill the contents of the bottle or injure his hands. The present device can be easily and quickly applied and the cellulose seal cut without spilling any of the contents.

Furthermore, the cutter is so disposed relative to device that there is very little danger of its cutting a persons hands when using the same.

The object will be understood by referring to the drawing in which:

bottle l2. The extension of knife is somewhat limited, whereby not to cut the cork stopper when the knife is being used.

In using the device it is applied to the neck of the bottle. The user generally holds member I with his thumb and forefinger pressing against the sides of member land the ends of said thumb and forefinger against the cylindrical ends 2, 2 and moves member I lateral towards the bottle neck II in such manner that the V-shaped knife Fig. 1 shows perspective view of the bottle I with the seal cutting device applied thereto, parts being broken away.

Fig. 2 shows an elevation of a bottle with the I device in section applied thereto.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the device, somewhat enlarged.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view showing a central vertical section of the device.

Fig. 5 is a plain view showing a modified form of the device.

Fig. 6 is a central vertical section of the modified form shown in Fig. 5.

Referring more particularly to the drawing the device comprises a U-shaped .member I in the shape of an open band or open ring member made of some sheet metal which is more or less resilient, or if desirable it may be made of a plastic or non-resilient or hard metal. The ends of member I are curved at 2, 2 forming cylinders or holding members for the application of the fingers of the user. Portions 2. 2 can be used also for hanging the device on a hook when not in use.

A V-shaped knife member 5 is formed inte ral' 5 will project between the upper edge of the bottle I2 and the lower edge of the cork stopper M. The knife 5 will wedge itself between those surfaces sufilciently far to cut the cellulose seal I0 but will not penetrate beyond to the cork stopper It. The operator then either turns member I circumferentially around the bottle neck II and at the same time holds bottle I2 stationary or vice-versa he holds member I stationary and. rotates bottle I2, whereby the knife 5 will cut the cellulose seal l0 whereupon the operator can draw the cork stopper out of the bottle neck II to empty the contents of the bottle l2.

Although the device has been described with reference to a bottle containing liquor-which is under seal, obviously it could be applied to many other uses such as cutting the seal of jars and other like purposes.

Figs. 5 and 6 show a modification in which the knife holding member comprises an open ended cylinder or ring I5. Cylinder I5 may be made of a non-resilient material such as plastic or hard metal. In the event that it is made of plastic, the knife I6 can be either formed integral therewith as in the case of knife 5 or it can be made of metal. In this latter instance knife I6 will have its rear edge turned at right angles as at I1, whereby to form a supporting bracket. A slit will be made in the side I8 of cylinder I5, the knife l6 projected therethroughand the rear portion ll riveted at I9 to letter surface I8 o cylinder I5.

In using this modified form of construction, the operator lowers ring member I5 down over the top part of the neck II of the bottle I! and engages the knife IS with the cellulose seal III at the location of the upper edge of bottle I! and the lower edge of cork stopper I4 as in the former instance.

Advertising matter can be placed on the outer lateral surfaces of either members I or I5.

When either knife 5 or I6 cuts the cellulose m1 0, the U. s. Internal-Revenue label 20 which -is underneath the seal will be cutalso.

I anteen cutter ror bottles an open ring Having thus described 'my' invention which I claim as new and desire to secure by LetterePatent in as iollows: V

1'. In a seal cutter for bottles an open ring member having a knife formed thereon, free ends formed with rolls on said member and said kniie being adaptedto cut the seal of the' bottle when I applied thereto.

member and a knife formed on said ring memberby cutting a V-shapedslot therein and pressing the cut portion down at right angles to said ring membenwhereby to'torm a knife to cut a seal brought incontact therewith.

- avian-man.

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